March First Friday 2024 - Noto Arts Center

 This is the second year where Topeka High has gotten to hang at the Noto Arts Center for both semesters.  Last year we hung during April, but this year we ended up showing during the month of March, and wow was it a busy night!

Since we have shown artwork at the Arts Center for multiple years now, it only gets better all around for the experience.  I now have students who have helped for more than one year to hang the artwork at multiple locations and know the process, being able to show the new students what to do sharing their experience and wisdom.  

Noto Arts Center Wall of Student Work

For the students, it is also another point of pride for them, the Photo 2s who are now Photo 3s get to showcase their work and it is something they very much look forward to doing when they get into the class, often one of the first questions - "When are we showing?".  

Students helping hang artwork

With Topeka High showing at the Noto Arts Center more than once for multiple years, I think it is also something the community has come to look forward to, our crowds and showings becoming larger each time.  A part of that is also the students being very proud to show their work and bringing their family and friends to look at their creative work.  

Hard work deserves fun rewards

This last time, when I left a little after 7:30, the gallery attendant had told me she had clicked close to 350 visitors to the gallery.  When I shared this information with the Photo 3s they all had the same reaction - it started fast as shock and slowly turned into pride and realization that their art pieces had been viewed and enjoyed by many people, and that was just for opening night. 

Community viewing student work

Getting to share these special moments with my students and their families, the showing of their artwork and the culmination of their hard work, is always a very special night filled with laughter and love that can't help but leave one feeling overfilled with joy.